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News Update: Tuesday, July 6 - Woman Cyclist Dies in Truck Accident

A 40-year-old woman cyclist from Melrose was killed in Vineyard Haven on Tuesday afternoon when she was struck by a tractor trailer owned by the E.C. Cottle Lumber Co., state police have confirmed.

State police Sgt. Thomas Medeiros said Dina Dececca was pronounced dead at the scene after she apparently fell into the path of the oncoming truck on State Road in Vineyard Haven near Camp street, just past the Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank. He said the call came in just after 2 p.m. Tuesday; the driver of the truck is Bruce O’Donnell, 46, of Oak Bluffs. Sergeant Medeiros said the 18-wheeler had just come off a Steamship Authority ferry and was traveling west, out of town, when it struck Ms. Dececca who was traveling in the same direction with a group of cyclists. She was the last in a group of nine cyclists, and was visiting the Vineyard for the day with family and friends, Sergeant Medeiros said. Mr. O’Donnell was the only occupant of the truck.

State Road was closed in both directions for about two hours and reopened in one lane for about two more hours while police attended to the scene, Sergeant Medeiros said. Tisbury police and volunteer firefighters also responded. The state police accident reconstruction team and truck team traveled to the Island from the mainland and are conducting an investigation. Sergeant Medeiros said no charges are pending at this time, although the incident remains under investigation. “It appears to be a tragic accident,” he said.

A complete story about the accident will appear in the Friday Gazette.

Comments (6)

wandajean, West Tisbury

What a horrible tragedy. I'm sure I speak for the whole MV community when I say "We are so sorry for your family's and friends loss.The Dececca Family will be in our thoughts and prayers for a very long, long time.

Camp Street going onto State Road is very dangerous and narrow. The hill is very steep and difficult for bike riders to maneuver. It is very unfortunate that this happened. Maybe the town will widen that area so that the bikers can have their own path to safely ride.

My thoughts and prayers go out to both the Dececca and O'Donnell families. This is so tragic for all. Bruce is good man and experience driver who I'm sure is taking this to heart. This is an accident which touches many communities but it is still an "accident". Fault may not play a role in this one, but awful luck. May God bless all.

My deepest sympathies to all the families and the town of Vineyard Haven. To all the visitors and bikers: Safety first... you are precious to your family and the island community PLease dont let another family grieve